Clearleap and
Roku announce a partnership that will bring consumers volumes of premium television content-- from movie libraries of major studios to popular programs traditionally limited to pay TV services. The arrangement will leverage Clearleap's cloud-based universal video platform for content management and service delivery, giving pay TV operators and premium programmers a seamless opportunity to offer content and generate additional revenues with a branded Channel on the Roku player.
Clearleap’s platform will enable paid VOD transactions to post directly through viewer’s pay TV subscription information, allowing Roku users to consume free or pay VOD titles congruent with their subscription package, with transactions posting as part of their monthly TV service bill.
In addition to bolstering premium content offerings, the partnership positions Roku as an attractive, low cost set top box solution to the broader pay TV industry that will work on any TV in any home environment. For Clearleap, the partnership signals its intentions to expand its platform from a cloud-based solution found inside cable and IPTV ecosystems, to a universal video technology platform designed for any type of operator and programmer focused on the ten foot television viewing experience. Clearleap’s platform is currently deployed in thirty pay TV systems, including six of the top ten U.S. cable operators.
The Clearleap/Roku managed IP VOD solution will be in multiple trials over the next six months, and the companies expect to launch a limited commercial deployment with a pay TV operator by the end of 2010.
Roku was first to market with streaming TV services from Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand, MLB.TV, and Ultimate Fighting Championship. Clearleap is now deployed in the infrastructures of 6 of the top ten pay TV services.